STANFORD, Calif. -
The Pac-12 Conference today announced its 2012 Football All-Academic honors, highlighted by 12 Stanford scholar-athletes. Leading the way for the Cardinal on the First Team were junior DE Henry Anderson, sophomore SS Jordan Richards and sophomore FB Patrick Skov.

To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average and be either a starter or a significant contributor.

Henry Anderson is a Political Science major (3.43 GPA) and 11-game starter at defensive end for the Cardinal. His 11.0 tackles for loss are third best on the team and rank top-20 in the conference, though his production the second half of the season has been matched by few: 9.5 TFL in his five games. Anderson has 5.5 sacks this season among his 39 tackles, while the 6-foot-6 defensive lineman has made four pass breakups.

Jordan Richards is undeclared as a sophomore (3.34 GPA) and has started 11 games at strong safety this season. He leads Stanford with 12 pass breakups and has snared two interceptions. The 14 total pass deflections rank 19th in the nation. An explosive player and sure tackler, Richards has provided stout support from the defensive backfield with 34 solo and 49 overall tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss.

Patrick Skov is undeclared as a sophomore (3.41 GPA) and has started on special teams this season and played as a backup fullback. In addition to his role on the punt block team, Skov is a second-line player on the kickoff return team that ranks third in the Pac-12. On squib kicks, Skov has twice this season scooped and gashed returns to start Stanford on an average of their 40-yard line.

Kevin Danser in his first year as a starter has evolved into one of the conference's top guards and a leader on the Stanford offensive line. Ben Gardner paces the Cardinal defensive line and ranks among the Pac-12's best with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Ronnie Harris has rotated at nickel back for the defense while contributing a high motor on four special teams units.

No. 11/11 Stanford travels this week to No. 15/16 UCLA for a chance to clinch the Pac-12 North and a berth in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game. The Cardinal and Bruins kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET with a national broadcast on FOX.